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Afghan troops clash with Taliban Taliban gunmen storm Afghan town
(about 3 hours later)
Armed Taliban militants, wearing suicide vests, have attacked a building in eastern Afghanistan, sparking a clash with police, officials said. Security forces in eastern Afghanistan have killed two Taliban militants who seized a building near a police station in the city of Gardez, officials say.
The attack took place in Gardez town, capital of Paktia province, at about 9am (0430GMT), an official said. A spokesman for the governor of Paktia province said a number of police and civilians were injured. Fighting began early on Monday and went on for hours.
Firing can be heard in the heart of the town and the assault is continuing. At least two militants have been killed. He told the BBC a search for three other militants was taking place.
Eastern Afghanistan is one of the worst flash points of violence in the Taliban-led insurgency. The attackers were reportedly heavily armed and some were wearing suicide vests, the spokesman said.
Correspondents say coordinated gun and suicide attacks, usually targeting Afghan government officials and security installations, have become increasingly frequent. Eastern Afghanistan has seen some of the worst violence in the Taliban-led insurgency.
At least five militants seized a building near police headquarters in Gardez, and began firing at security forces as they surrounded the building, reports quoting officials said. Correspondents say co-ordinated gun and suicide attacks, usually targeting government officials and security installations, have become increasingly common in Afghanistan.
Troops have cornered the fighters in a market, a spokesman for the governor of Paktia province, Rohullah Samoon, said. Grenades
The Taliban said they had carried out the assault, which was still continuing at midday. Monday's attack in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, began at about 9am (0430GMT) and fighting went on until after midday.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told the Associated Press that the five attackers were targeting the police station. At least five militants seized a building near police headquarters in Gardez and began firing at security forces as they surrounded the building, reports quoting officials said.
Rohullah Samoon, a spokesman for the governor of Paktia, said the militants had been cornered in a market.
The Taliban said they had carried out the assault.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told the Associated Press that the five attackers had been targeting the police station.
He said all were wearing suicide vests and were armed with rocket-propelled grenades.He said all were wearing suicide vests and were armed with rocket-propelled grenades.
In July, gunmen and suicide bombers targeted four sites in the city of Gardez, among them the governor's compound. In July, gunmen and suicide bombers targeted four sites in Gardez, among them the governor's compound.